Ian Charles Xenna Curlaway Chemical Free Hair Relaxer 1ea.

"I've used this product twice, several years apart, and the smell was just as terrible each time. I'd heard they'd improve on the fumes but no, the smell was the main drawback; I believe this product is vinegar based, hence the awful smell. I don't recommend sleeping with it on your hair because the fumes can get unbearable. Instead you can put it on early on a weekend day and wrap head in a cotton bandana to keep the fumes down. I can say that it didn't make my hair drop out, and my hair did feel surprisingly healthier and less frizzy after the first application. I will keep using it but never to sleep in and always in a well ventilated area. Plus it now has a warning that it shouldn't get into your eyes, so no sense sleeping in something that you can get on the pillow and then in your eye, that sounds dangerous. But it's not a harsh chemical like a relaxer so that is a huge plus; it won't make things worse, and won't strip like a relaxer."

"My hair is very coarse, thick,down to my neck and thus difficult to manage. The first time I used this product, I applied for nine hours and after rinsing, these are the pros (mild as they may be) a)I noticed my hair did not shrink as much as before. I can't say it was a lot easier to comb although I probably shaved off 15 mins from my regular time. However, after having my regular weekly wash, I could not tell any difference between the 'before' and 'after' feel and look of my hair(after applying it three times that week). b)I kept on applying though and I do notice that parts of my hair are stretched out than I have ever seen and when I put my hair in plaits and take it off, it is very shiny. However, there are a lot of cons I havea) it takes about an hour and a half to put the product on my hair and put it on rollers or pony tails. I then need another two hours after rinsing to put it on the rollers for the drying process. I have now improvised and no longer put on rollers but plait it for the drying process. I still use two and a half hours in total,b)I have been using the product at least twice a week since Feb 2008 (its now end of March 2008) and I don't see any other differences than what I saw the first week of application,c)with my thick hair, I only get two applications from every bottle and have now spent about [$]on the product. As a student and as someone who went natural because of the time and money I spent at salons, I am not sure the time and the money I have spent and the results I have seen after nearly two months (6 weeks) is worth it.d)Although I notice a bit of stretching out after rinsing, this is where it ends. After the hair dries, it is not any different from before I had ever applied the product.e)I am spending a lot more time combing (and stressing) my hair for the application and drying process and because it is not much easier to detangle, I shed a lot of hair when applying. In general, considering the time, money and energy (having my hands in my hair and constantly braiding or putting in rollers is a lot of work for the biceps--maybe a pro then), and the results, I am not sure it is worth it, and may be worth it as a leave in conditioner after a wash for the shine it puts in the hair (on the first day)"

"I have been natural ALL my life. Now that my hair is between my arm-pit length and bra-strap it has become too difficult to manage (a.k.a style and detangle) due to the thickness. I will not put any chemical in my hair because my hair cannot take the strength of them. Therefore, when I found this product I was skeptical. However, after the first use I applied the gel to my wet/damp hair and left it on for 3 hours. After three hours I rinse my hair. It was noticeable manageable, still thick and healthy (not thinned), and hung lower without the shrinkage of my curls. It was a bit dry, but I just applied conditoner like the directions said and my hair was nice and moisturized. Actually, when rinsing the conditioner off in the shower with my wide tooth comb my hair was MUCH EASIER to detangle. It took about 5-10 minutes as opposed to 30-to an hour!!!! This product is definetly my little secret. The only Cons to the product is the smell. It does not bother me, but the members of my family do not like it. It smells like sour apples and vinegar. Another con is the amount in the jar. I can only get two uses out of it and the price does not help. The slight dryness after rinsing would be the third con, but that can be easily fixed with a moisturizing conditoner. I will ABSOULETLY use this product again. I am actually about to reorder some more. Thanks Natual Relaxer!"

"Just when I was about to give up.....

I have been using Curlaway for three months now and saw the greatest results just a few minutes ago upon completing my hair! I am really pleased.

The very first time I used it I had my friend apply it for me, since I've never applied my own relaxer. I left it in for about 8hrs, pulling my hair back into a ponytail and combing it thru every two hours to ensure that it was worked in. When I rinsed it out my hair was kind of hard/stiff, but after conditioning it was much softer. Next I sectioned my hair off and applied a dab of the gel to each section as I was blowdrying and my hair was really straight considering that my last relaxer was six months ago then. I flat ironed it and applied some oil and my hair was great! It didn't last long. I wash my hair about once a week and each time I washed I recieved nice results. My hair was straight upon blowdrying...but within a day it would curl back up. But my hair was really manageable.

About four weeks later I applied it again as a deep conditioner but I left in in for a bit of a shorter time, 6hrs. And I was dissappointed. It didn't come out as great...So from then on I had been applying a little to my edges each day as I would style my hair along with applying it after each wash.

Today marks 9months since I've had a relaxer, and for the past month along with the curlaway I have been using Soft & Beautiful's Extend a perm kit...being that my ends are still permed. So today I washed with the shampoo that comes with it, Applied the conditioner and left it in for about 5 to 10 minutes, did a cool rinse, divided my hair into sections, applied curlaway to my new growth and a bit to my ends, then applied the thermal straightening lotion that comes with the kit and blowdryed my hair. OMG! it was really manageable and had maybe just a small amount of waves. Next i sectioned my hair and flat ironed, applying just a touch of Liz & Daughters "Relaxer Look" Pressing Creme, as I straightened each section and my hair really looks as if it has been relaxed! I am soooo happy. I will continue to use Curlaway without a doubt! Don't stop making this stuff!

(This stuff is pricey for a college student, but if you're tired of chemical relaxers, you'll save some of your refund check! It's really worth it!)"

"I've decided to transition to natural hair with the fear of more damage than I currently have. After much research and weighing the pros and the cons, I'm very pleased I've come across Curlaway. If you can read, comprehend and want a natural alternative and have used perms or processes for years than a little odor won't hurt to get the results you are looking for. Place a plastic or coloring cap on your head after you've dampened your head and applied the product as well. Place the plastic cap on your head and get two bandanas and fold them in a v shape have the largest part of the fold placed on the back of your head and tie it in the front. Place the second one with the biggest part in the front of your head and tie the back together. This is low cost and very effective to keep your hair moist which is desired and keeping the smell down. I hope this helps others in their quest to finding a natural alternative from chemical processes."

"This products works, I put it in last night and went to sleep. I woke up, finish rinsing and conditioning my hair. I didn't see too much of a change at first but then I blow dried with a brush and like magic it was straight. Now I don't have really kinky hair but it still hurts when I blow dry with with a comb. This product changed that. The smell is terrible, so I recommend to place a plastic bag over your hair and then apply as many scarf as you feel you need (to dull the smell plus it keeps it moist). They say it doesn't work right away and no my hair is not bone straight but it is more manageable and that is good considering I haven't had a relaxer in 6mos. So be patient if it doesn't seem to work, it will give it time. I think I will try my daughters hair next, now she has really thick tight curls."

"I'm trying this product for the 3rd time; I used it years before and didn't keep it up. The smell is strong so use in a ventilated area. It smells like strong vinegar. But the smell doesn't remain on the hair after you wash it out. After using it twice my curl pattern opened slightly and my hair felt much softer, glossier and stronger, and best yet I had much less breakage. The change is very gradual after 3 applications, and I have one more application left in the jar. So 4 applications from one jar, not bad. Aside from the smell it does reduce frizz considerably. I apply it with my hands and don't have any burning or pain. I've given up on chemical relaxers completely so I'm going to keep on using the product, since it's not harming my hair and my hair has less breakage."

"i used curlaway before i went to sleep and this was my experience:



i decided to look for a gentler relaxer for my 3b-3c hair when it began to thin at the bottom from the relaxer i was using. when i found curlaway i was impressed by most of the reviews and wanted to see for myself if it was everything i had heard.



first i did some research on the product -- curlaway works by breaking down hydrogen and salt bonds within the keratin fibers of hair shafts using acetic acid. basically, it is a mixture similar to concentrated vinegar, water and moisturizers that straightens hair.



when i first opened the jar i noticed a few things. in consistency, curlaway is more like a lotion than a gel. it smells like vinegar and a hint of apple. the odor IS strong, but not revolting. thirdly, there is not much curlaway to a jar. for thick hair an entire jar is about 1-3 applications (though the container says 6-8).



applying curlaway was easy. i used my hands to apply it to different sections of my roots, braided them, pulled a shower cap over my head, then went to bed. my head was never sore or stinging. however, my scalp was a bit itchy when i woke up.



i washed curlaway out in the shower -- it felt a bit pasty and my hair did not feel extremely soft after rinsing it while still showering. the biggest results came when i towel dried my hair and used a bit of curlaway and leave in conditioner to style my hair, along with some mousse. my hair at the roots felt more manageable, more loosely curled and sleeker.



it is completely dry now and it feels softer, the curls are virtually frizz-less and it does not feel dry at all. i am very satisfied with my results, and will continue to use curlaway as a leave-in conditioner to tame my curls. however, i dont think it can fully replace my relaxer as it is not permanent, more pricey and time consuming."

"I apply like I would a regular perm. I left it in for three hours before rinsing it out. I did not want to go to bed with it on because it is kind of messy, but I feel with nine hours I may have had better results. It is good for a touch up of a regular perm, helps to keep your edges straight, but if your hair is really thick inside I guess results will come gradually but not right away. It is good for controlling natural looks,but to get thick hair really straight you must use a variety of heat sources such as blow drying, and flat ironing which I believe can become damaging on the hair eventually. I do like the product and the whole idea of getting away from the harsh chemicals in my hair, I'm giving it a test drive for now, I'm trying to see the gradual process take place. I would let you know in further writings how it turns out"

"I have 100% natural hair. This product did soften my hair and make it more managable. I used the overnight method. I plan to continue using it twice a month to form soft ringets.



The cons of this is the smell and the size of product. It needs extra green apple scent. I used a plastic bag and towel to wrap my hair to block the strong smell. The size of jar only gave me one application. This needs to be double the size and lower the price.



Some people complained of it burning their eyes and scalp. The directions clearly states not to use this product if you have scratched your scalp and keep away from eyes. Also, it states that striaght hair will comes with multiple uses of this product, not on the first try.



I will use this product to create soft ringets. I do not want to straighten my hair at this time, maybe later."